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4.
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Engineering Design
There is no question that biotechnology has opened up opportunities to create new solutions and
economic benefit in many areas including health, energy, and agriculture. Yet, progress has been
marred by often unexpected failures and public concerns over the use of genetic modification.
These failures and concerns are largely a result of believing that the novelty that has been
introduced is somehow insulated from the host that it finds itself in. With the massive advances in
DNA sequencing technologies and ability to evaluate the global effect of cellular proteins, we are
now in a position to better understand these interactions.
Applying design and engineering principles will, eventually, allow us to have the same certainty in
biotechnology outcomes as we have from designing electronic circuits. Synthetic biology aims to
provide this certainty through the central concept that biology can be reduced to a number of
functional parts. As DNA is the main repository of biological information; it should be possible to
combine DNA parts in specific ways to create ‘circuits’ to achieve desired outcomes. These circuits
could make use of native DNA sequences, or systems could be designed that are incapable of
interacting with, effectively insulated from, the host.
Most industrialised nations are now pursuing programmes for the development of synthetic biology
capabilities and looking to apply these to a range of industrial sectors.
What is clear from examining the way in which synthetic biology is developing and being exploited is
that business to academia and business to business collaborations will be the norm.
Case Study – Sustainable Chemicals for the Manufacture of Antibiotics
The manufacture of most pharmaceuticals begins with petrochemicals or glucose that is
produced from food sources. Neither is sustainable, and so GSK is working with researchers
at the University of Strathclyde to use synthetic biology to engineer novel metabolic
pathways in microbes that would allow these building blocks to be made from renewable
sources (such as agricultural waste).

5.
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Market Impacts of Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is expected to have a significant market impact. A review of the analysis by three
leading market research companies suggests that the market was worth between 1.9 and 3 billion
USD in 2013, with growth rates of between 24% and 44% to the end of this decade1
.
Figure 1. Global synthetic biology market trends (billions USD) from three independent market research
companies from 2013 to 2018/20.
The market can be segmented into enabling tools (such as DNA cloning and sequencing), enabling
products (such as novel genetic constructs and engineered microbes) and enabled products (such as
biofuels). While enabled products are expected to retain the highest share of the market, the key
growth area at present is in enabling product technologies. This is an area that Scotland has strong
capabilities in.
1
Figures derived from the following market research reports: Synthetic Biology: Global Markets (BCC
Research, 2014), Synthetic Biology Market by Tool (MarketsandMarkets, 2014), World Synthetic Biology
Market - Opportunities and Forecasts, 2013 – 2020 (Allied Market Research, 2014).
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Allied Market Research BCC Research Markets and Markets

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Synthetic Biology is growing in Scotland
 Scotland has the highest density of synthetic biology practitioners in the UK, outside of
London.
 The Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow offer world-class facilities.
 The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) headquartered at the University of
Strathclyde provides an interface between academia and industry for industrial
biotechnology and synthetic biology.
 There is a small and engaged industrial base developing new research tools and using
synthetic biology for process and product development.
 There are a number of large industrial end-users keen to use and further develop synthetic
biology tools.
 There are additional world class facilities that would support the translation of technologies
into human health, crop and livestock development.
 The majority of these sites are within two hours travel of each other.
 There is a strong infrastructure and connectivity between academia and industry.
 The next generation of synthetic biologists are being trained through Masters and PhD
courses at the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Strathclyde, with Edinburgh and St
Andrews also offering undergraduate degrees in biology and mathematics.
Case Study – Improving the expression of proteins in engineered microbes
Ingenza and Aberdeen are collaborating to model and understand the dynamics of protein
translation in cells expressing heterologous genes. By doing so they expect to be able to
design gene expression systems that lead to the optimal expression, folding and solubility of
encoded proteins, thus reducing the production costs of proteins such as enzymes and
therapeutics.

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A Snapshot of the Scottish Landscape
Scotland is rich in academic talent in synthetic biology, with most of this concentrated in the
Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. However, there are additional groups in Dundee,
St Andrews, and Heriot Watt. The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), a
collaborative initiative between all Scottish universities, provides a focal point that connects this
expertise and has directly funded academic-industry collaborations through its Exemplar
Programme. All academic centres welcome collaboration and provide access to their facilities for
external users.
In addition to this strong academic presence, Scotland has a number of companies providing
synthetic biology services to a growing list of international clients for metabolic engineering and the
optimisation of protein expression across a variety of microbial, plant and mammalian systems.
Several large multi-national end-users of synthetic biology are also located in Scotland, including GSK
and Thermo Fisher.
Scottish organisations are active in major UK initiatives such as SynbiCITE – the UK’s collaborative
Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) dedicated to promoting the adoption and use of synthetic
biology by industry; and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) – the UK’s innovation network
which has its biosciences and biotechnology team located in Edinburgh.
U of Edinburgh -
Mammalian SynthSys
Genome Foundry
Edinburgh Genomics
Systems Biology Software
Infrastructure
Kinetic Parameter Facility
Photobiology & Low Light Imaging
Facility
Microfluidic Imaging Facility
Systems biology; large-scale DNA manipulation; industrial, animal & crop biotech
JHI -
crop & environment research
U of Strathclyde -
Industrial Biotech Innovation Centre
U of Glasgow -
Polyomics Facility (high throughput -omics)
Protein & Nucleic Acid Characterisation
U of Aberdeen -
Systems Biology Integrative Centre
Genomics & Proteomics
Roslin & Moredun Institutes -
animal biotech & husbandry
Synpromics -
synthetic promoters to
enhance gene expression
for health & medicine, and
plant biotech
Ingenza -
combinatorial genetics for
biotech applications in
chemicals, medicine/health,
biofuels & agrochemicals
Thermo Fisher -
tools for -omics technologies
Other research groups at Dundee, St Andrews, and Heriot Watt
Biotangents -
combinatorial genetics for
metabolic engineering

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Key Research Facilities
The University of Edinburgh
Overview
The University of Edinburgh has made synthetic biology a strategic priority. Over the past eight
years, the University has invested ~£24M in people, buildings, studentships and facilities to create a
critical mass of research excellence in synthetic biology in Edinburgh. It offers world-class facilities
for the manipulation and exploitation of a variety of cells, and for the design, manufacture, and
validation of DNA up to chromosome length.
SynthSys is the focus of synthetic and systems biology research in Edinburgh. This multidisciplinary,
virtual centre spans the University and has around 40 principal investigators and over 200
researchers from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, Informatics, Mathematics, Medicine,
and Social Sciences. It is also home to the UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology Research, a
BBSRC, EPSRC and MRC funded synthetic biology research centre.
Research capabilities in SynthSys are integrated to support a broad range of industrial sectors
including: industrial biotechnology, energy, animal and human health, agriculture and the
environment.
Areas of Excellence
Edinburgh has built expertise in the application of synthetic biology tools across a wide range of
organisms - bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants and animals. This includes:
 Minimal, chassis microbes for the introduction of novel genes and genetic pathways –
including microbes that are suited to specific environments.
 Novel genetic control elements such as transcription factors, DNA binding sites, insertion
(recombinase) sites and epigenetic domains – to modulate gene expression.
 Novel genetic circuits that are modular and orthogonal (do not ‘cross-talk’ with host cell
biological circuits) for use in biosensors and biosynthesis.
 Novel metabolic pathways within microbes to enhance the production of desired products,
such as novel drugs, or catalyse the breakdown of biopolymers, such as lignin and cellulose,
to useful building blocks.
 Controlling the level and timing of expression and secretion of proteins from bacteria
through mechanical stimuli and feedback loops.
 Plant synthetic biology to boost yields of natural products, and improve growth, and systems
biology approaches to understand how different environmental factors influence plant
circadian clocks and thus growth.
 Single cell assays, genomics, proteomics and epigenetics to understand changes at the
cellular and molecular level.
 Mathematical and computational approaches to model a variety of biological processes.

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Figure2. Synthetic biology capabilities at the University of Edinburgh.
Capabilities and Facilities
Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology - a £13.3m investment from UK Research Councils to
develop tools for the manipulation and exploitation of mammalian cells, with a short term industrial
focus on drug discovery, biosensors and bioproduction. The centre also includes industrial partners:
Thermo Fisher, Selex, Charles River Labs, Roslin Cells, and Autodesk.
Edinburgh Genome Foundry - will provide end-to-end DNA design, assembly (up to chromosomal
lengths) and validation. The Foundry will go online later in 2016, allowing researchers anywhere in
the globe to order specific services. All services will be fully automated.
Phenotyping Platforms – A core experimental resource containing specialist equipment for
measuring multiple parameters of cell physiology. It provides access to medium-throughput
benchtop fermentation systems for the culture of a variety of cell types.
Systems Biology Software Infrastructure – supporting the understanding and design of
biomolecules and genetic circuits.
Microscopy – A range of novel technologies including confocal microscopy (OPERATM
), optical
imaging and single-cell analysis.
Plant Phenomics – provides facilities for tissue culture and biological containment, controlled
growth environments and plant stem cell cultures. It includes an electron microscopy suite for
biomolecular characterisation.
Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology – supports drug discovery programmes through
expertise in structural biology, virtual screening and structure based design. Centralised protein

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production and characterisation facilities are available through the Edinburgh Protein Production
Facility (EPPF).
Edinburgh Genomics – next generation DNA sequencing, genotyping and bioinformatics. Illumina
HiSeq X allows for inexpensive whole genome sequencing.
Innogen – research and consultancy around the social and economic impacts of innovation in the life
sciences.
Industrial Collaborations
Examples of industrial collaborations in synthetic biology with the University of Edinburgh include:
 Ingenza – a number of projects to identify novel microbial enzymes and enzymatic pathways
for the metabolism of different biomass feedstocks.
 Synpromics – novel promoters to improve protein expression in mammalian cells.
 GSK – novel manufacturing processes for antibiotics.
 Unilever – production of chitosans for use in food and personal care products.

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The University of Glasgow
Overview
Researchers at the University of Glasgow are applying synthetic biology to a number of areas
including synthetic cells, water and environment remediation, photosynthesis and optogenetics.
Researchers are connected through the Synthetic Biology Group which is multi-disciplinary and
spread across a number of faculties.
Areas of Excellence
Glasgow has developed a number of areas of expertise including:
 Synthetic cells - a means of expressing desired DNA from a vesicle made from either
polymers or lipids and containing cell lysates, mainly from E. coli. Membrane proteins can
be inserted into the vesicle to allow passage of chemicals or binding to specific targets.
Potential uses include biosensors, water remediation or as a therapeutic delivery agent
(through cell fusion).
 Cyanobacteria as a novel system for the production of useful compounds, exploiting their
broad range of habitats and hence metabolisms. Research has identified promoters that are
only active when the cyanobacteria have reached maximum cell density, stationary growth
phase, allowing optimal expression of transgenes.
 Site-specific recombinases for genome editing, allowing genetic circuits to be created and
easily modified. These also have use as novel sensors that induce permanent changes in
DNA as the result of a specific event (e.g. cell division).
 Microalgae cultivation for biofuels and high value products.
 Systems biology to model and understand microbial communities for the purpose of
designing new communities to achieve water and environmental remediation.
 Artificial photosynthesis using the light-harvesting complex from purple bacteria.
 Optogenetics – using light responsive domains in plant and algal photoreceptors to control
gene expression.
Capabilities and Facilities
Polyomics facility – unique in the UK, integrating all ‘-omics’ technologies and pioneering
metabolomics, which for example, can be used to verify the action of drug candidates and profile the
dynamics of microbial communities. Supports much research across the university and has
established relationships with a number of industrial clients including Ingenza, Novartis, GSK, and
Astra Zeneca.
Protein and Nucleic Acid Characterisation Facility – wide variety of biophysical techniques, including
fluorescence, circular dichroism, UV-VIS, FTIR, isothermal calorimetry, and surface plasmon
resonance (SPR), to analyse structural integrity, stability, and interactions with other
macromolecules, ligands, and membranes.
Industrial Collaborations
Examples of industrial collaborations in synthetic biology with the University of Glasgow include:
 Ingenza – developing a platform for rapid and precise DNA module rearrangements.

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The University of Aberdeen
Overview
Synthetic biology at the University of Aberdeen is used for marine biodiscovery, the study of
developmental pathways and for optogenetics. There is also a strong systems and modelling
capability.
Areas of Excellence
 Cloning and optimising the expression of enzymes from marine fungi, bacteria and
cyanobacteria that constitute metabolic pathways for the production of cyclic peptides that
have therapeutic properties. Different enzymes are used in combination in cell-free systems
to generate drug candidates and fine chemical precursors. Commercialised as a spin-out
company (Ripptide-Pharma) in partnership with the University of St Andrews.
 Systems biology – to understand development and differentiation, control of complex
biological systems and fine control of protein translation in yeast.
Capabilities and Facilities
Systems Biology Integrative Centre – applies mathematical modelling to molecular, organismal and
environmental biology for the purpose of supporting a greater understanding of metabolism,
development and disease.
Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine – provides next generation sequencing,
microarray technologies and bioinformatics.
Institute of Medical Sciences – provides cytometry, microscopy, proteomics, and qPCR capabilities.
Industrial Collaborations
Examples of industrial collaborations in synthetic biology with the University of Aberdeen include:
 Ingenza – discovery and scalable synthesis of therapeutic cyclic peptides, discovery of new
bacterial enzymes for biomass processing, and optimisation of protein translation.

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Other Universities and Institutes with Synthetic Biology Activities
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee has strong bioinformatics (genomics and proteomics) and mathematical
modelling capabilities to investigate whole biological systems, in particular microbes. Applied
research using synthetic biology focuses on the metabolic engineering of bacteria to produce
hydrogen. Other interests include plant biotechnology (in partnership with the James Hutton
Institute) and bacterial protein transport. Dundee has been particularly active in the iGEM
competition (see under ‘Education and Training’).
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews has several research groups investigating the biosynthesis of natural
products and using recombinases such as CRISPR to manipulate genomic DNA. Areas of interest
include biofuel synthesis and lignin metabolism. St Andrews also hosts the Sasol Technology
Research Centre for RTD in synthetic fuels, and has collaborated with Ingenza and the University of
Aberdeen on the discovery and scalable synthesis of therapeutic cyclic peptides.
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde has substantial expertise in industrial biotechnology and manipulating
microbial metabolism. It also hosts the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) which is a
collaborative initiative between 14 Higher Education Institutions in Scotland. IBioIC has over 30
industrial partners, and offers funding through its exemplar programmes for industrial-academic
collaboration, access to pilot plant facilities, and education and training in industrial biotechnology.
Strathclyde researchers have collaborated with Ingenza to engineer bacteria to produce products
traditionally made from petrochemical sources. Strathclyde hosts the Rapid Bioprocess Prototyping
Centre which supports the development of bioprocess technology from lab to industrially
compatible scales (1-15l). Its focus is on assessing the potential of new cell lines, bio-products or
novel approaches to bioprocessing.
Heriot Watt University
Heriot Watt has expertise in biotechnology and bioprocessing, centred on the Institute of Biological
Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering. Research activities include the manipulation of
multicellular structures such as tissues and biofilms, and bioenergy, using carbon dioxide fixation by
cyanobacteria. The Flexible Downstream Bioprocessing Centre will be officially launched in May
2016, a facility under the umbrella of IBioIC it will take technologies demonstrated through the
Rapid Bioprocess Prototyping Centre at Strathclyde and scale these up to 15-200l.
James Hutton Institute
JHI is a major international research institute for the development of new crop cultivars, particularly
soft fruits, cereals and potatoes. It collaborates extensively with industry and applies genomics tools
to assist in the breeding of new varieties and to understand and manipulate plant pathogen
interactions with hosts. It has extensive glasshouse facilities with contained growth areas for GM
cultivation and plant pathogen study.
Supporting Institutes
While they are not directly developing or using synthetic biology tools, the Moredun and Roslin
Institutes provide access to valuable animal welfare and health capabilities, including containment

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facilities, and therefore the prospect of translating synthetic biology advances into livestock
development.
Further information on academic capabilities and facilities, including key contact information, is
provided in Appendix A.

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Key Industry Players
There are three companies in Scotland which deliver RTDI services that are enabled by synthetic
biology. All offer platform technologies, delivering business to business services for industrial
clients, from SMEs to multi-nationals. Each of these companies also collaborates with academic
research groups.
Ingenza
Ingenza was founded in 2002 and has extensive synthetic biology, and industrial fermentation
expertise. Its inABLE technology is a high-throughput combinatorial genetics platform, to both join
multiple DNA segments together in a controlled manner and test large numbers of the resultant
constructs rapidly, for both protein functionality and expression levels. The platform has been used
across a number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, to optimise expression and/or functionality
from single or multiple genes. The company uses bioinformatics to aid in the design of constructs,
e.g. substituting functional domains in a target protein with homologues from other species or
strains to deliver improvements. The highly parallel approach markedly reduces development time
and has delivered solutions to issues clients have previously found intractable.
Ingenza works with industrial clients and academic partners across the globe and across a range of
sectors including fine and speciality chemical, pharmaceuticals, biocatalysts and biofuels. In addition
to its synthetic biology expertise, the company is GMP compliant and employs industrial
biotechnology knowledge to optimise fermentation processes to manufacturing scales.
Synpromics
Synpromics was founded in 2010 to exploit proprietary promoter design technology for a number of
eukaryotic cell systems. The control elements that are used are organism and/or cell-specific,
allowing gene expression to be fully optimised according to specific design requirements. These are
developed for international clients to improve mammalian and microbial industrial biotechnology
processes and the efficacy of cell and gene therapies.
The benefits of this technology platform include:
 High levels of gene expression and specificity;
 Novel and patentable promoters;
 Production of simple or complex protein products;
 Stable and high expression;
 Adaptable to pathway engineering;
 Inducible expression in any environment.
Through understanding how different promoter elements function in different cell-types and in
different environments, Synpromics is able to construct synthetic promoters to optimise the
expression of genes encoding desired proteins. Specific algorithms are used to mine its database of
promoter elements and design libraries of synthetic promoters for specific purposes.
Synpromics received £2.1m investment from Calculus Capital in August 2015 and at the end of 2015
announced deals with AGTC and Avalanche Tech (both to develop novel promoters for adeno-
associated virus vectors for ocular diseases).

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Biotangents
Biotangents launched at the beginning of 2015. Its Leapfrog Assembly technology is a PCR-free
approach to combine multiple DNA fragments in a defined manner for the purpose of metabolic
engineering. The DNA used can be both coding and non-coding.
The company provides these services to a number of UK and international industrial clients. One
particular area of expertise is engineering E. coli to produce small molecules for flavours and
fragrances, and controlling the length and post-polymerisation modification of larger
polysaccharides for other consumer products. Biotangent’s technology produces identical products
to natural flavours and fragrances that are rare and/or expensive to extract, and makes use of more
abundant feedstocks.

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Industrial End-Users
Scotland has a vibrant life-sciences community, engaged in drug discovery, developing new drug
delivery systems, diagnostics and research tools, all of which can benefit from advances in synthetic
biology in the short to medium term. Other sectors that will see benefits from synthetic biology
developments are represented within Scotland, such as: chemical manufacturing, including
agrochemicals and petrochemicals; energy; agriculture, food and drink; environment, water and
waste management.
Key multi-national players with an active presence in Scotland include:
 Thermo Fisher – has a large facility just outside Glasgow, and globally has active RTD
programmes for developing research tools that exploit synthetic biology. It has
collaborations with a number of Scottish universities.
 GSK – has manufacturing plants on both the East and West coasts of Scotland. It is
collaborating with industrial and university partners in Scotland to develop synthetic biology
tools for the realisation of improved process technologies.
 Finmeccanica (Selex ES) – has a large site in Edinburgh and is a partner in the Centre for
Mammalian Synthetic Biology. It has interests in the development of novel biosensors.
 Charles River Laboratories – has two facilities around Edinburgh and is a partner in the
Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology.
Further information on the large, potential end-user markets for synthetic biology developments,
and relevant companies located in Scotland, can be found in Appendix B.

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Education and Training
Scotland has a long history of producing high calibre life-science graduates and offering a variety of
post-graduate opportunities at Masters and PhD level. In recent years there has been an increase in
the number of life-science graduates, and at the same time the introduction of more applied
degrees, beginning with industrial biotechnology, which is offered by most universities at either
Honours or Masters levels.
In recognition of the growing importance of synthetic biology, several are now offering relevant
courses to ensure that Scotland maintains a pipeline of skilled individuals:
 University of Edinburgh:
o BSc Honours .n Mathematics and Biology – supporting a more quantitative approach
to biology
o MSC in Systems and Synthetic Biology - understanding of how genetic systems
interact and how to engineer and control novel genetic systems.
o MSc in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology - practical applications of synthetic
biology and biotechnology, combined with insight to technology transfer and
responsible research and innovation.
o MSc in Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance (BIG) - includes an
optional course 'Social Dimensions of Systems and Synthetic Biology'.
 University of Glasgow
o MSc in Biotechnology - combines advanced molecular genetics and biotechnology
with business and industrial skills.
o MSc in Biotechnology and Management – adds additional management aspects to
the above course.
o MSc in Bioinformatics, Polyomics and Systems Biology - covers all -omics technology
and integrates with bioinformatics and systems biology.
o PhD in Systems Biology - understanding and integration of -omics data.
 University of Strathclyde
o MSc in Industrial Biotechnology - industry-led, including a placement with an
industrial partner. Synthetic and systems biology are core components.
 University of St Andrews
o BSc (Hons) in Biology and Mathematics – supporting a more quantitative approach
to biology.
The Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) which is supported by the Scottish Funding
Council (SFC) plays a key role in linking education and training activities across six Scottish
universities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Strathclyde). SULSA has
established a synthetic and systems biology theme group to coordinate activities across universities
and organises a number of regular activities to engage academic researchers and industry. For
example, it supports industrial placements for post-graduate students. This is mainly at the PhD
level, where students spend between three and six months in industry, although there are also a
number of undergraduate placements, where students are funded for a full year in a company
between their third and final years. These placements are usually in Scotland, but can be located
elsewhere, in which case the company is asked to contribute to additional expenses. In addition to

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this, SULSA supports Scottish undergraduate participation in the iGEM (International Genetically
Engineered Machine) competition, which takes place every year in Boston. There have been several
successful teams from Scottish universities (see box).
In addition, there are developments at the further education level to provide training courses,
certificates and diplomas for technical aspects that meet industry’s needs. This is coordinated by a
cross-party skills and education group involving Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland
(SDS), Further and Higher Education institutions and industry, under the auspices of the Scottish
Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Group. This group is addressing the needs of industrial
biotechnology and already considering synthetic biology, in terms of the broad range of skillsets that
will be required.
Scottish University success in iGEM
Teams from several Scottish universities have successfully competed in the iGEM
competition. Recent examples include:
 The Synthetic Forensic Toolkit – to measure fingerprint age, analyse body fluids
without contaminating DNA, and detect chromate in wounds. (Gold)
 Class-A-fiED – a biosensor to detect the illicit presence of opiates in diet pills. (Gold,
Best Integrated Human Practices)
 GlasGlow – engineering bioluminescence in E coli for children’s nightlights. (Gold)
 E. coli-based Trypanosomiasis Diagnostic System – a logic gate based system to
detect the presence of two parasite antigens and indicate this through fluorescence.
(Gold, Best Innovation in Measurement, Best Health & Medicine Project)
 The Lung Ranger – a biosensor to rapidly and non-invasively identify bacteria
colonising a Cystic Fibrosis patient. (Gold, Best Policy & Practices Advance, Best
Health & Medicine Project, iGEMers Prize)
 RewirED – using intercellular signalling to control the growth dynamics of bacteria in
mixed populations. (Gold)
 Switching on the power of E.coli – using site specific recombinases to permanently
switch expression from one gene (or set of genes) to another in response to a
stimulus. (Gold)
 TOXiMOP – using synthetic biology to monitor and remove toxins from algal blooms
in freshwater bodies.
 WastED - remediation and valorisation of industrial waste streams, with a particular
focus on Scottish leather, textile, and whisky industry waste waters.

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Funding and Support
There are a variety of funding schemes available to support company growth in Scotland. Those that
are most relevant are listed below.
Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are the main economic
development agencies in Scotland. Funding provided by both is only available to companies that are
established, or intending to establish in Scotland.
SMART: Scotland Award provides grant support to SMEs (small and medium sized businesses) for
feasibility studies, and research and development (R&D) projects.
 Feasibility studies support early stage R&D to enable informed decisions on the technical
and commercial feasibility of a new product or process. Support is at up to 70% of the
eligible project costs and projects last 6-18 months, and the maximum grant is £100,000.
 R&D projects aim to develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process.
Support is at up to 35% of the eligible project costs and projects last 6-36 months, and the
maximum grant is £600,000.
Seek and Solve grant provides support for companies to engage in innovation projects with
customers who have committed resources to the project. Support is up to 45% of costs, with
projects lasting 6-36 months.
Scottish Venture Fund invests in companies from start-ups, early-stage to expanding businesses
seeking funding to develop products and/or markets. Primarily equity based, SE provides up to 50%
of total funding package, or between £10,000 and £2 million.
Scottish Co-investment Fund matches accredited investment partners up to a maximum of 50% of
the total funding package on a commercial basis. SE provides from £10,000 to £1.5 million.
Scottish Loan Fund provides loans ranging from £250,000 to £5 million to SMEs to support their
expansion
University Collaboration Funding Schemes
Innovation Vouchers provide a small amount of funding to Scottish-based SME’s to carry out short
feasibility studies in collaboration with a Scottish University. Typically these “vouchers” pay for
£5000 worth of access to university expertise or equipment, which usually has to be matched in cash
or in kind by the industrial partner. The Innovation Voucher can be used as a way to initiate a project
and lead on to further, more R&D detailed collaboration. Several organisations administer these,
the main one, of relevance to the life-science sector is Interface, which delivers the Scottish Funding
Council (SFC) Innovation Voucher Scheme.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are UK Government funded and enable businesses to
benefit from the wide range of expertise available in the UK Knowledge Base - public and private
sector research institutes and higher and further education institutions. KTPs are a three-way
partnership between the business, the academic (usually university) partner and a recent graduate
(the Knowledge Transfer Associate) to deliver projects of strategic importance to the business.

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Projects last 12-36 months, SMEs need to contribute 33% of costs (on average £23,000 per year) and
large enterprises need to contribute 50% of costs (on average £30,000 per year). SFC support KTPs
in Scotland.
Industrial CASE Studentships provide funding for PhD studentships where the industrial partner
takes the lead in arranging projects with an academic partner of their choice. Industrial CASE
studentships are available through all the UK research funding councils and require both industry
financial contribution and placement of students from between 3-18 months with the company.
In addition to these funding schemes, the UK Government provides funding for industrial RTD
through Innovate UK, which operates in a similar manner to Scottish Enterprise and investment
through schemes such as the Rainbow Seed Fund, which is a is a £24m early-stage venture capital
specifically for synthetic biology companies. There are further means of supporting innovation such
as R&D tax credits and the UK’s Patent Box both of which allow companies to reduce corporation tax
burdens as a result of their RTDI activities.

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Locations to do Business
Scotland has a variety of science and technology parks. Most of these are either located near higher
education facilities or have direct connections to these. They are connected into the economic and
innovation support provided through SE and HIE. The maps below indicate the locations of those
that support life-science innovation, with larger scale maps for the greater Edinburgh and Glasgow
areas.
Location of facilities around Edinburgh:
Location of facilities around Glasgow:
1. Aberdeen Energy and Innovation Parks
2. Dundee Technopole
3. Heriot-Watt University Research Park
4. Edinburgh BioQuarter
5. Roslin Biocentre
6. Edinburgh Technopole and Biocampus
7. Pentlands Science Park
8. Elvingston Science Centre
9. Alba Innovation Centre
10. Stirling University Innovation Park
11. Inovo
12. Strathclyde University Incubator
13. West of Scotland Science Park
14. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
15. Hillington Park Innovation Centre
16. Scottish Enterprise Technology Park
17. Irvine Bay
18. BioCity
19. European Marine Science Park